Chapter 6

Warm chandelier light bathed the grand dining hall, casting broad, soft reflections across the polished white marble floor. The rich aroma of fresh butter, steamed basmati rice, and spiced lentils drifted over the massive teak table.

Placing a half-eaten roti back onto the stainless steel plate, broad shoulders leaned back into the sturdy wooden contours of the dining chair. A wide, innocent look settled across his handsome features, his deep cheek dimples showing fully under the overhead glow.

“Veer Ji, ik gal soch reha si main. Hun main wdda ho gaya aa, te bhaanve viah laye halay boht chota samjhda aa apne aap nu, par menu lagda ae hun ik girlfriend te honi chaahidi ae.” (Brother, I was thinking one thing. Now I have grown up, and although I consider myself very young for marriage, I feel it is time I should get a girlfriend.)

Gurmukh’s steel spoon paused mid-air halfway to his mouth. A thin drop of lentil dal dripped back into his bowl as his eyebrows twitched behind his reading glasses.

Beside the brass serving cart, Meher stopped dead in her tracks. Her crimson Patiala suit rustled as her broad, commanding frame turned toward the table, her long gold jhanjharan ringing with a sharp, metallic chime against the marble. Her dark eyes widened slightly, her gaze fixing straight onto his relaxed face.

Turning his head slowly, the same wide, innocent expression remained anchored on his lips as his eyes rested directly on her flushed face.

“Bhabi Ji, poore Punjab vich tuhade ton sohni te hot zananee koi nahi ae. Tussi hi meri girlfriend kyu nahi ban jaande?” (Bhabi Ji, there is no woman more beautiful or hot than you in all of Punjab. Why don’t you become my girlfriend?)

The quiet dining room seemed to freeze under the high ceiling. Meher’s jaw set firm, a deep, dark flush creeping rapidly up her throat. She did not shrink back or look away. Instead, her chin lifted high, her hands settling forcefully over her hips as her silk kameez tightened across her chest.

“Kiddar tera dhyan challan janda ki tu idda di bakwas karn lag pehnda? Tu khana kha le aaram nal, aivein puthiya gallan na bak.” (Where does your attention wander off to that you start talking such nonsense? You eat your food comfortably, don’t talk nonsense like this.)

A carefree, teasing laugh rumbled low in his chest as he folded his hands casually over the edge of the table, leaning forward just an inch.

“Soch ke dekho, Bhabi. Veer Ji te aapne kagzaan te career nal viah kar ke baethe ne, ohna kol kithe time ae tuhade laye. Tussi ghar vich baethe bore hunde rahoge. Mere nal baahar jao, masti karo, picture-an dekho...” (Think about it, Bhabi. Brother is sitting married to his papers and career, where does he have time for you. You will keep sitting at home getting bored. Come out with me, have fun, watch movies... )

Waggling his thick eyebrows with a bold, cheeky grin, his voice dropped into a smooth, rhythmic cadence.

“Clubbing javaange maazae kar ra ge, ki kehndi aa?” (We will go clubbing and have fun, what do you say?)